Lightning-arrester.



E.E.F.CREIGHTON.

LIGHTNING ARRESTER APPLICATION TILED nnc.22,19oe

1,071,710. Patented Sept. 2, 1913 ooooo 6 00000 0 --qgpoooj o00 OOOOO ooo 00000 uooooO [@Oooooooooo A; [i ooo OOOOO f00000 ooO 9 1A1 Ann '1 w j r Fig. 2.

Witnesses 1 Inventor:

' Elmer BF. Cr i hton w; m. y :qw

initial between cylinders and t ranged adjacent to group (3, and group 7 is likewise equipped with antenna: and 16. The corresponding antennae 11, 13 :ind 15 of these groups are connected respectively to the line conductors 1., 2 and 3, and the opposing antenna. 12, 14 and 16 are connected directly with the neutral bar 4. The latter carries a fourth antenna 17 adjacent to'tbe groundedgroup '10, but. separated from earth by the space intervening between it and tli'eopposite antenna 18 is directly connected to earth. 7

Although I do not desire to be limited by any theory of operation, I believe that the beneficial action of theantenna: may be ex plained onthe theory that there is an electrostatic stress between each line antenna and the opposin antenna, and the effect is to charge up eac series of cylinders as condensers, the charge depending upon the poe capacity of the cylinders. The charging current equals the product of the potential difference, times the capacity, times the frequency,

till

times 2 1:. For low frequencies, the charging current is small, and in fact, can be entirely suppressed by adjusting the position of the antennae so that no spark passes from cylinder to cylinder. 'VVith this same potential difference and high frequency the charging current assumes a density sufficient to form into a spark, and each straight line of-gaps is bridged by sparks which have their sour e of potential in the antennae. \Vhen the gaps are ionized, the high potenlial charge on the line finds a comparatively easy path to ground and quickly relieves the line of: its abnormal potential charge. As the antennae simultaneously start the sparks in a number of parallel lines, the .arrestors embody both the nonarcing qualities of many gaps in series and also he quick action of substantially simultaneous break-down across gaps. K

it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the employment of the antennze as above described permits a material addition to the number of gaps which may be employed on any given line potential, thereby increasing the certainty of rupturing the line current in CJSL/ the line current follows through on the lightning discharge. t

Fig. 2 illustrates the use of condensers 1S) and 20 to separate lbeir respective antennze 21. and 2:2 for the purpose of diminishing the risk of a short-circuit between either of the anlennzr and any of the ci'inducting' cylinders of the multi-gap units. These condensers allow the high frequency oscillations to pass through without obstruction,

be brought nearer the units without risking a short circuit.

Fig. 2 is intended to be only diagrammatic and to indicate that condensers maybe applied to any or all of the antennae'shown in Fig. 1. Although the system shown in dctail in Fig. 1 is arranged for a three-phase system, it could obviously be changed to meet the requirements of other polyphase circuits, or even of a single-phase system.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of .the United States, i

1. In a protective device, the combination with a plurality of spark gaps forming a discharge path, of antennze disposed on opposite sides of said path and adjacent thereto at intervals along the discharge path to influence-the break-down potential of said path.

2.-In a protective device, the combination with a plurality of conductors spaced apart to form air gaps, of agrounded antenna mounted closer to some of the groups than to the others, and a line antenna mounted closer to some of the other groups, whereby an electrostatic stress'is established between said antennae to influence the breakdown potential of said device.

The combination with a plnrality of lnulti-gap units disposed in series'and connected to a. line conductor, of antennac' on opposite sides of said units to influence the breakdown potential across said gaps.

' 4. In a protective device, the combination with a plurality of conductors separated by air' gaps and arranged to form a zig zag discharge path, of antennae mounted close to the angles of said path on opposite sides thereof, and connections whereby an electrostatic stress is exerted between said antennae and thereby the breakdown potential of said path is influenced.

5. The combination with a multi-gfap protective device for electrical conductors, of antenna: disposed to set up an electrostatic stress across said gaps, and condensers interposed between said antenna: and other conductors of the system.

(3. In a protective device, the combination of series of conductors spaced apart to form a series of air gaps, an antenna on each side of said series of gaps, and means for maintaining a sufficient difference of potential between said antennae to influence the breakdown of said gaps by electrostatic influence. i

7. In a'protectivc device, the combinationwith a series of conductors 'spaced apartto form a zig zag line of air gaps, a grounded antenna on one side of said line adjacent some of said gaps, and an antenna on the other side adjacent other gaps, and mans for main aining between said an tennzu a (liiftl'filltjt of potential far in fiuencing the break-down \oitage of said gaps.

8. in a protective device, the irnnlhinatiun with a series of conductors mounted to form a zig Zag discharge path qumprising a selit's of air gaps, and antenna. on oppo- 10 site sides of said path, and means for main Mining a diti'orcm'o ul pnli'ntlal lmtwvvn said antenna for vxvrting: 2H1(it'tilflfiiiltitf straw (Hi some of Hliti gaps to inthwni'c thv breakdown voltage at said disvhargo path. In \Yiiiltfifi \x'hcl'oo'f. I haw horvuntu sci my hand this 21st da)- ot' l tttllli)(l', 1906.

ELMER i 1*. (REIH-H'IOX. it'nvssvs:

ALEX. F. \Lunnxum, IiI-ILEN ()HFHIH).

on the other side adjacent other gaps, and taining 21 (liii'eronrv o1 means I tennir :1 difference of potential for inpolrnunl between said nntennzr for exerting un'electrostatic main aining, between said an- I I stress on some ot said gaps to influence the for tluencing the break-down voltage of said f lirenkdmvn voltage of Hilltl discharge path.

5 gaps.

8. In a protective device, the combination with a series of conductors,inonnied to form a zig zng discharge path comprising a series of air gaps, and antennae on oppo- 10 site sides of said path, and means for nmm- 1 Correction iiiLetters Patent No. 1,071,710.

rectio'ns in Letters Patent No. 1,071,710

In witness whereof. I have hereunto set 15 niv hand this 21st day of December, 1906. IGLHER I). l". RICIUII'IYLY. 'il'nusses: ALEX. F. MAvnoxAhn,

It is hereby certified that in'Letters Patent No. 1,071,710, granted September 2, 1913, upon the application of Elmer E. F. Creighton, of Schenectady, New York, for an improvement in Lightning-Arresters, errors appear in the printed specificanon requiring correction as follows: Page 2, llne 11, strike out the word is;

same page line 46, second occurrence, strike out the article the; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent ()ffice. Signed end sealed this day 0t October, A. D., 1913.

[SEALJ R T. FRAZIER,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,071,710, igranted September 2, 1913, upon the application of Elmer E. F. Creighton, of Schenectady, New York, for :in improvement in Lightuing-Arresters, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line l l, strike out the word is"; same page line 46, third occurrence, strike out the article the; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Qflice.

Signed and sealed this 7 thday of October, A. D., 1913.

mm-.1 R. T. FRAZIER,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

It is herehy certified that in- Letters Patent No. 1,071,710, granted September :3, 1913, upon the application of Elmer E. F. Creighton, of Schenectady. New York, for

an improvement in Lightning-Arresters, errors aphuar in the printed specification requiring correction as foliows: Page 2, line 11, strike out the word "is";

' same page line 46, second occurrence, strike out the article the; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that. the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of October, A. D., 1913.

we R. T. FRAZIER,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

